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Korean Wedding Vows - sacred, sincere, and full of heart

In a Korean church wedding, vows are a beautiful blend of Christian tradition, heartfelt commitment, and just enough formality to make even the coolest cousin sit up straight.

Unlike in dramas where proposals come with dramatic rain and a soft piano track, the real ceremony is much more dignified (but still romantic — don’t worry). The couple stands before their pastor, families, and a room full of expectant guests, and makes sacred promises to love, honour, and stick together through life’s joys and kimchi shortages.

The vows themselves are often simple and formal, spoken clearly and respectfully — and sometimes with a slight tremble if the groom spots his future mother-in-law watching like a hawk.

Whether whispered with emotion or delivered with polished poise, these vows are what truly seal the marriage — more so than the photos, the seating chart, or the inevitable aunt who cries through the entire ceremony.

So take a deep breath, stand tall, and remember: you’re not just making a promise to each other — you’re making it in front of everyone who’ll be replaying it at family gatherings for years.

Below are the traditional vows used in Korean church ceremonies — shown in both Korean and English, so you can follow along (and maybe even impress a few relatives with your command of the language).

(Grateful thanks to our reviewer: Yi Lee Mison)

Phonetic text

Vows from the groom to the bride:

Minister:

shilrang (groom's name) goon, shilrang (groom's name) gooneun shinboo (bride's name) yangwool anaelo maja, hapbeop jeogin boobooga deoryogo hago issoopnida.
shilrang (groom's name) gooneun jeulguwooltaena gelowool taena, gunganghal taena goolotchi anool taena, goo utteohanili itdeolado, shinboo (bride's name) yangwool pyungsaeng sarang hago, jonjoong hamyo, seoro weelo hago, dowool gousul mengse hashipnika?
(groom's name). You are becoming the husband of (bride's name). Do you promise to love (bride's name) and respect her, take care of her, help her, in joyful times and in hard times, healthy times and sickness times, every day, for ever?

Groom:

ye.
Yes, I promise.

Vows from the bride to the groom:

Minister:

shinboo (bride's name) yang, shinboo (bride's name) yangeun shilrang (groom's name) goonwool nampyon woolo maja, hapbeop jeogin boobooga deoryogo hago issoopnida.
shinboo (bride's name) yangeun jeulguwooltaena gelowool taena, gunganghal taena goolotchi anool taena, goo utteohanili itdeolado shilrang (groom's name) goonwool pyungsaeng sarang hago, jonjoong hamyo, seoro weelo hago, dowool gousul mengse hasipnika?
Miss. (bride's name). You are becoming the wife of (groom's name). Do you promise to love (groom's name) and respect him, take care of him, help him, in joyful times and in hard times, healthy times and sickness times, every day, for ever?

Bride:

ye.
Yes, I promise.

Hangul script:

Vows from the groom to the bride:

(Note: you may need to install the appropriate font or make some settings to your PC to see these non-Latin characters.)

Minister:

신랑(groom's name)군, 신랑(groom's name)군은 신부(bride's name)양을 아내로 맞아 합법적인 부부가 되려고 하고있습니다.
신랑(groom's name) 군은 즐거울때나 괴로울때나, 건강할때나 그렇지않을때나, 그 어떠한 일이 있더라도 신부(bride's name) 양을 평생 사랑하고, 존중하며, 서로 위로하고 도울것을 맹세하십니까?
(See above for English translation)

Groom:

예

Vows from the bride to the groom:

Minister:

신부 (bride's name)양, 신부 (bride's name)양은 신랑(groom's name)군을 남편으로 맞아 합법적인 부부가 되려고 하고있습니다.
신부(bride's name) 양은 즐거울때나 괴로울때나, 건강할때나 그렇지않을때나, 그 어떠한 일이 있더라도 신랑 (groom's name) 군을 평생 사랑하고, 존중하며, 서로 위로하고 도울것을 맹세하십니까?
(See above for English translation)

Bride:

예
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